2026 World Cup: Sannie Daara defends Thomas Partey amid visa refusal ahead of Panama clash

Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Communications Director Ibrahim Sannie Daara has called for restraint in the treatment of Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey, insisting that the player should be presumed innocent while legal proceedings continue.

His comments come in the wake of reports that Partey was denied entry into Canada ahead of Ghana’s 2026 World Cup campaign, a development that has sparked widespread debate.

Daara acknowledged the authority of Canadian immigration officials but questioned the fairness of restricting the player’s movement before any court ruling. He stressed that no judicial body has found Partey guilty of any offence.

“I was very, very surprised,” Daara told Kafui Dey in an interview. “You are innocent until the court says you are guilty. If the person is innocent, please give him that innocence until otherwise.”

He further noted that the alleged incidents did not occur in Canada and emphasised that the midfielder has been cooperating with legal processes in the United Kingdom.

“The person still has presented himself before the law courts and no court of competent jurisdiction has found him guilty,” he said.

Daara warned that pre-emptive sanctions on athletes facing legal cases risk causing irreversible reputational and financial harm, even in situations where they are later cleared.

He referenced the case of former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy, who was acquitted after facing multiple allegations.

“He lost his income, his reputation is battered, his confidence is gone,” Daara said. “The damage cannot be repaired.”

He argued that such situations risk undermining the principle of natural justice and urged authorities not to treat accusations as verdicts.

“It is natural justice,” he said. “Let the person go through the process.”

Daara also expressed support for ongoing diplomatic engagements between Ghanaian officials and Canadian authorities, urging continued dialogue to resolve the matter.

“I think they should continue to engage the Canadian authorities in ensuring that at least they give him the visa,” Daara added.

Meanwhile, the Black Stars have arrived in Toronto ahead of their opening Group L fixture against Panama on Wednesday. Ghana will later face England at Gillette Stadium on June 23 before wrapping up their group stage campaign against Croatia on June 27.